I found a much more cheaper local-ish school. Basic to advance photoshop I know most of it but its the older version. basic to advance photography. then portrait and creative photography. for 1500 plus a DSLR so 3000 grand tops. This is much better then 87 grand that the chesey AI place.

Seek- My local college runs ads on TV. Though its not nation wide but most AAS are 5500-7000 grand. IF it wasn't tied into a community college system it would be a junior college.

My wife and I have our own photography business. Our main income comes from high school seniors. We also do family portraits and commercial headshots, and she does newborn portraits. We've been "official" for about 3 years now and we're doing quite well for ourselves. While we have yet been able to go full commitment (I still work a 30-40 hour/week job, though it's flexible), we will hopefully be there soon.

Neither of us went to school for photography. She took some classes in junior college about 10 years ago (we're 32), but that didn't really do too much for her. We have just been shooting for years, and kind of figuring it out as we go along. We have been going to WPPI every year for about 4 years, we watch/listen to business and photography classes online, and we just try and learn as much as we can. She is really the boss when it comes to the business and she has put together all of her own business plans and marketing, etc. She ALWAYS says, that if she had it all to do over again, she would have gone to school for business and marketing.

You can go get real world experience out there behind the camera on your own, just get out there and shoot. Find some friends that you can shoot, practice, practice, practice and work on your technique, which, if you work at it or if you're just naturally talented, will come to you.

Now that's all well and good, but if you can't sell your product (or yourself), then you're never going to make money. Getting that business background is where you'll find the money. It's like others have said, sure that $87K school will teach you technique, but you can learn that on your own. Can you learn the business stuff too on your own, of course you can, but if you're going to spend money on some type of school, I'd put it towards business and develop the photography skills on your own.

Xero- your site is set up very nice. I was thinking maybe 20-30 grand for digital media, which covers a lot. Some of the local community college around me have communication degree with 3-4 class over photo shop and photography. I guessing for working at publication is why you would need those classes.

Anyways I'm signed up for class starting in AUG, and I'm waiting for Inter-state studios which does photos for Years books and school photo IDs to hit me back. They like to hire vets, so that helps.

Cether, I am with you on the digital media. I feel that Photography to me is a fun serious hobby. I did some looking around and next semester I begin my quest for a degree in Design and Graphics. It incorperates photography but is not completely specialised to it. I enjoy photography and want to keep it that way. If I can play with a camera from time to time at work that is great to me.

Cether, I am with you on the digital media. I feel that Photography to me is a fun serious hobby. I did some looking around and next semester I begin my quest for a degree in Design and Graphics. It incorperates photography but is not completely specialised to it. I enjoy photography and want to keep it that way. If I can play with a camera from time to time at work that is great to me.

I see CL ads for video guys all the time for short films. I'm guessing like ads for small companies. Car lots, retail stores etc.The photography around here is small time stuff and seasonal. I'm just looking at fun easy and relaxing work.

Regardless you have to have some type of education to show you can do the work. My humble opinion is, that i like the idea of certification much more then a degree.